Crimson Arrow

The launch of the Crimson Arrow in February 1970. Photo courtesy of Angus Martin, who was, at that time, a correspondent for the Campbeltown Courier. Angus thinks that the photo was very likely to have been taken by photographer, Gordon Hunter.

We are very grateful to Jan MacDonald, Angus Martin and MacDuff’ Shipyards in Buckie for the following photos and  memorabilia associated with the Crimson Arrow CN 30. Although David Tod of Anstruther was the first to commission a boat from Campbeltown Shipyard (then Thames Campbeltown Shipyard), his boat was pipped to the post by a trawler built for a local skipper, James MacDonald. Some of the photos here are from his son, Jimmy’s collection, Jan’s late husband. The Crimson Arrow was launched on a freezing cold day, with a backdrop of the snow-covered Bengullion – 18th of February 1970. Our Top Skippers’ Choice celebration will take place in February 2020, on the 50th anniversary the launch of the Crimson Arrow, the yard’s first boat. Leslie Howarth, former managing director at the yard, recalls how, when the boat was launched, she hurtled down the rails into Campbeltown Loch at great speed – lessons were learned and subsequent boats were launched nearer to the water’s edge and in a more sedate fashion! 

Crimson Arrow was to be renamed the Dawn Carol and then the Star of David before being finally decommissioned in 1993.

 

Contract between Campbeltown Shipyard and James MacDonald. 1969. Courtesy of the Campbeltown Shipyard archive at MacDuff Shipyards, Buckie.

Guest list for the launch of the Crimson Arrow, 1970. Courtesy of the Campbeltown Shipyard archive at MacDuff Shipyards, Buckie.

 

Telegram from Andrew Douglas Ltd of Campbeltown, congratulating the Campbeltown Shipyard on the launch of its first boat, the Crimson Arrow, in February 1970. Courtesy of the Campbeltown Shipyard archive at MacDuff Shipyards, Buckie.

Letter from J. Peach to Leslie Howarth, General Manager at Campbeltown Shipyard, dated 19th February, 1970. Courtesy of the Campbeltown Shipyard archive at MacDuff Shipyards, Buckie.

 

Article (source unknown) – Trawler launched at Campbeltown Shipyard – First steel boat to be built in the Highlands. C. 1970. Courtesy of the Campbeltown Shipyard archive at MacDuff Shipyards, Buckie.

 

Letter from J. Peach of Ferguson Brothers to Leslie Howarth, General Manager at Campbeltown Shipyard, dated 10th March, 1970, regarding a gift for Skipper James MacDonald’s wife. Courtesy of the Campbeltown Shipyard archive at MacDuff Shipyards, Buckie.

The launch of the Crimson Arrow, 18th Feb 1970. with a snow covered Bengullion in the background. Photo Courtesy of Jan MacDonald.

Crimson Arrow sailing in Campbeltown Loch with Knock Scalbert in the background. Photo courtesy of Jan MacDonald.

Crimson Arrow sailing in Campbeltown Loch with Davaar Island in the background. Photo courtesy of Jan MacDonald.

Crimson Arrow sailing in Campbeltown Loch with Cnoc Scalbert and High and Low Askomil in the background. Photo courtesy of Jan MacDonald.

Kort nozzle propellor – Crimson Arrow. Photo courtesy of Jan MacDonald.

Crimson Arrow sailing in Campbeltown Loch with Campbeltown in the background. Photo courtesy of Jan MacDonald.

The Crimson Arrow CN 30 as Star of David BA 258. Photo courtesy of Peter Drummond.

The Crimson Arrow CN 30 as Star of David BA 258. Photo courtesy of Peter Drummond.

 

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